Lionsgate boss Adam Fogelson has addressed plans for a sequel to Michael, as trailer viewership for the Michael Jackson biopic soars. The trailer for Michael has been launched, displaying the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, taking over the position of his uncle within the movie. The trailer amassed over 30 million views throughout all official sources inside six hours of launch.
Now, Deadline experiences that Fogelson, Lionsgate’s Movement Image Chair, confirmed potential plans for a sequel to Michael throughout an earnings name on Thursday. He defined that, whereas a sequel could not be confirmed but, there are plans to “ship extra Michael” after the primary film. This additionally coincides with experiences that the movie’s unique lower was over 3-and-a-half hours in size:
Because the final time we labored collectively on an earnings name, we’ve had the good pleasure of seeing the director’s lower of the primary movie, and it’s distinctive. Whereas we’re not but prepared to verify plans for a second movie, I can inform you that the inventive workforce is difficult at work ensuring that we’re able to ship extra Michael quickly after we launch the primary movie.
Fogelson’s assertion confirms beforehand reported plans that the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic will really be launched in two components. Not solely is that this due to how deeply the unique script dove into Jackson’s profession, but additionally on account of reshoots axing a portrayal of an alleged sufferer of Jackson’s sexual abuse, whose settlement with the property prevents their onscreen dramatization.
The primary movie is about to deal with the early days of Jackson’s profession, albeit via varied eras of his profession. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer 3, Southpaw) from a script penned by John Logan (Alien: Covenant, Skyfall). It additionally boasts a reasonably giant funds of $155 million, although it is unclear if that is between each films.
With the musical biopic getting cut up into two films, it stays unconfirmed the place the primary movie goes to cease and the way a lot of his later profession goes to be explored. Earlier experiences about Michael changing into two movies signaled the film would finish someplace within the Eighties, however this stays to be seen till extra is unveiled.
Both approach, the assertion from Fogelson highlights simply how huge an endeavor the biopic goes to be. It isn’t the one multi-part movie within the works about well-known musicians, although: Sam Mendes is creating 4 films about The Beatles from every band member’s perspective, all of that are anticipated to be launched in theaters in April 2028.
Given how profitable Michael‘s trailer has turn out to be so rapidly, it looks as if a superb signal for theatrical curiosity when the biopic releases on April 24, 2026. It additionally means what does come out will likely be detailed, because it explores a number of sides of Jackson’s life and profession. With the movie nonetheless six months away, extra detailed information appears possible at a later date.
- Launch Date
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April 24, 2026
- Director
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Antoine Fuqua
- Writers
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John Logan